I am a huge advocate for journal writing, or just memory keeping in general. Whether it be a journal, scrapbook, photo album, blog or shoe box full of random papers. Memories are so so important to me. Journals in particular have a special place in my heart, and I feel every single person should keep one.
Why should everyone keep a journal??
So we can have record of our lives for posterity. So our children can see what type of people we really are. So our great-great-grandchildren can have a glimpse of what life was like in our time. So we can have a good laugh when we are old and senile and don’t remember half of the things we wrote down!
These are all great reason, but I believe that the most important reason to keep a journal is YOU. Writing in a journal is a way to learn who you really are. It gives you a place to think, feel, discover, expand, remember and dream. All without any outside opinions!
I have been keeping journals for over 15 years, my oldest one is from third grade. (And that is, understandably, the cheesiest one!) Over the years I have learned so much about myself from writing and reading my journals. In high school, I realized that I had worth and I started to become my own person. In college, I realized what my dreams were and what I wanted out of life. Now, writing helps me see my strengths and weaknesses as I try to be the best mother and wife that I can be, and gives me a better long-term perspective.
I decided that I want to start a ‘Memories’ feature here on the blog. I’ll be sharing glimpses into my own journals and scrapbooks, lessons I’ve learned over the years, inspiration and ideas for starting your own records, and random memories that I want to preserve. Not every journal has to be a cute little notebook that you write in every day. There really are so many ways to preserve your memories, and I’m hoping this feature will be an inspiration for some of you. If nothing else, at least it will be a good way for ME to remember these things!
For now though, I’ll just leave you with this quote:
- Frank Smith, author of Myths of Writing
I was just given a book called "The 3 Word Journal"
I'll let you know what I think about it.
I wish I had some elementary journals.
I don't think I was introduced to journaling till 7th or 8th grade.
I have that one and it's pretty interesting.
(I am SO in love with Bobby. I'll love him forever.
Bobby is a jerk. I'm SO in love with Timmy. I'll love him forever.
Timmy is such a jerk. . . etc ad infinitum)
You know how teenaged girls are!
*wink*